Anadolu Efes general manager Alper Yilmaz has opened up about the club’s summer rebuild, Pablo Laso’s future, the arrival of several major signings and Shane Larkin’s move to Fenerbahce.
The Istanbul club has undergone significant changes during the offseason after several years of relying heavily on a core built around Larkin.
Larkin’s departure was arguably the biggest change, with the longtime Anadolu Efes star crossing Istanbul to join Fenerbahce. However, Anadolu Efes responded by bringing in several high-profile players, including Mike James, Dario Saric and Matthew Strazel.
With Laso entering another season at the helm, Efes are hoping the new-look roster can return to the top of European basketball.
IS IT TIME FOR ANADOLU EFES TO RETURN TO THE FINAL FOUR? 👀🔵
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) July 28, 2026
With several blockbuster additions this offseason, Efes' projected starting five could look like this:
🔵 PG: Mike James
🔵 SG: Matthew Strazel
🔵 SF: PJ Dozier
🔵 PF: Dario Saric
🔵 C: Bruno Fernando
Bench options:… pic.twitter.com/tnKAXBakvw
Anadolu Efes building a new team
Yilmaz explained that the club’s approach this summer has been focused on creating a completely new identity around Laso’s vision.
“We are building a new Anadolu Efes. We need a group of players who will represent Efes in the best possible way on the court. That is what we are doing. There is one more player who will join us and I think we will announce that tomorrow.”
The Efes general manager also highlighted the injury problems that affected the team last season.
“Last season, we had major problems with injuries. We believe that Papagiannis, who was injured at the beginning of last season, as well as Cordinier, who underwent surgery at the end of the season, will not be in the condition we want them to be in at the beginning of this season.”
Despite the significant changes across the roster, Yilmaz believes the main structure of the team is already in place.
“This year, the European basketball market is a little different. There are teams spending very large budgets. The transfer window never really ends. Injuries can happen, and a very good player can become available on very favorable terms.”
“I can say that our main roster is currently complete. Our new signing will be a player who can cover positions one and two.”
Efes continue to trust Pablo Laso
Anadolu Efes are also counting on Laso to deliver more in his second season with the club.
The Spanish coach arrived in Istanbul with a significant reputation after building successful teams throughout his coaching career, but his first campaign with Efes did not produce the results the club had hoped for.
Yilmaz believes Laso can perform at a much higher level with a roster constructed according to his ideas.
“We thought Laso would be more successful with a team he built himself. Together, we decided that continuing our collaboration was the right option.”
“I hope he will have a season in which he can regain the successes of the past and that we will once again be a team that deserves to be at the very top.”
Anadolu Efes accept Shane Larkin’s decision
Larkin’s departure was inevitably one of the main topics of Yilmaz’s interview.
The American guard spent eight seasons with Anadolu Efes and became one of the defining players in the club’s modern history. He was also a key part of the teams that won back-to-back EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022.
Yilmaz admitted that the decision was difficult but insisted that Efes respected Larkin’s desire for a new challenge.
“Larkin is someone I love and respect very much. I was the one who conducted the negotiations for his transfer in 2018, and I was very happy when it happened. But at the end of the day, we are doing a professional job. We are paid for this job.”
“After eight years, Larkin wanted to change teams and play for another club. He told us through his agents. We understood that. I don’t think there is much point in keeping a player who does not want to stay.”
The Efes general manager added that the club worked with Larkin and his representatives to find a solution that suited everyone.
“We spoke with Larkin and his agents. I think we found the right solution for both sides. I hope he has a healthy and successful season. He is one of the most important players in the history of Anadolu Efes.”
Efes look to replace an era-defining player
Rather than attempting to replicate the past, Anadolu Efes have decided to move forward with a new-look roster.
Yilmaz revealed that the club actively searched for a player capable of filling the void left by Larkin.
“We are moving forward. We tried to bring in the best possible player to replace Larkin. I hope the player we brought in will be even more successful with us than he was at his previous club.”
For Yilmaz, Larkin’s departure is ultimately part of the natural cycle of a European basketball club.
He pointed to several other legendary Efes players who eventually moved on.
“Many years ago, Petar Naumoski, Vasilije Micic and Bryant Dunston came and left. Larkin was supposed to leave one day, and that happened this year.”
Now, with Mike James, Dario Saric, Matthew Strazel and other new additions joining a roster shaped by Laso, Efes are entering a new era.
The challenge will be to turn that significant summer investment into a team capable of returning to the highest level of the EuroLeague.
